Slide the steering wheel as far away from the dash as it will go

Performance Gain:

Reliable, bright gauges

Complementary Modification:

Clean everything while you're in there

Removing the instrument cluster on your Mercedes W124 is not a difficult job; you can even do it without removing the steering wheel. The gauge cluster is a friction fit and is pulled from the dash with two cluster removal tools. While you can buy these tools from Pelican Parts you can also make your own from metal coat hangers; just be careful not to scratch the trim with any sharp edges.

PLEASE NOTE: NEVER, NEVER connect your battery before you've connected the airbag. Otherwise you'll get an SRS error and need to visit dealer for clearing it. In other words, the SRS controller will not find your driver airbag connected and turn on the SRS dashboard light which will never go away by its own even after you've connected the airbag.

Figure 1

The cluster is pulled from the dash by inserting the removal tools between the vents and the cluster (red arrows).

Some vehicles have the speedometer cable clipped to the pedal box (red arrow). You are going to need to free up some slack in the cable either way. So, remove the kick panel and release the clip. Gently pull the cable up through the floor.

Pull the cluster out far enough so that you can reach in behind it and unscrew the speedometer cable. The sheathed cable (red arrow) is connected to the cluster by a large brass screw (yellow arrow). Unscrew the brass ring. That will separate the cable from the cluster.

This photo illustrates where the speedometer cable (red arrow) attaches to the gauge cluster (yellow arrow). Note: the steering wheel has been removed for photographic purposes only; you do not need to remove the steering wheel to perform this work.

Bulb replacement is easy. Simply pull the plastic bulb housing from the cluster (red arrow). When replacing the bulbs do not touch the surface of the bulb with your uncovered hands. The oils from your skin can cause a hot spot to form on the bulb and reduce its life. Installation is the reverse of removal.